Rochi Zalani
Bio
Rochi is a staff writer at ECM who relishes fresh poetry. She talks about books, poems, and the life on her website. If you believe there is nothing that cannot be cured by some Mary Oliver poetry, subscribe to her weekly newsletter.
Stories (23)
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How To Let Go Of The "What If" Fear
This article was originally published at rochizalani.com I was uncertain whether or not to write this article. There were many, many (oh God, SO MANY) ‘What ifs?’ in my head before beginning that I wrote the first sentence 20 times. I wanted it to be juicy enough to hold your attention, yet mysterious enough for you to want to read more.
By Rochi Zalani5 years ago in Psyche
Tuesdays with Morrie Review: Lessons When Death Awaits
I read Tuesdays with Morrie as a 14-year-old. I reread it when I was 16. Then once again, now, when I am 21. This is a book that has stayed with me – I have underlined paragraphs that have settled in my heart, I have done the crime of folding the pages that were too good to be read only once, and I have left a sob mark on the pages that have left me in tears.
By Rochi Zalani5 years ago in Motivation
The Bluest Eye Review: The Paws Of Conventional Beauty And Internalized Racism
This article was originally published at rochizalani.com The Bluest Eye is Toni Morrison’s first novel. It is set in 1940s America. The novel is largely based on a personal experience when one of Morrison’s childhood friends confessed her desire to have blue eyes. The author realized that how “implicit in her desire was racial self-loathing”.
By Rochi Zalani5 years ago in Families
Can You Sleep Your Way To Enlightenment? Lessons From Ottessa Moshfegh's My Year Of Rest And Relaxation
This article was originally published at rochizalani.com ‘My Year of Rest and Relaxation’ by Ottessa Moshfegh is easily one of the oddest books I have read. The story premise sounds ridiculous: Our unnamed character decides to hibernate for a year to sleep away from her depression and wake up a new person. She is tired of the world. Alongside ridiculous is an insight into the heart and spirit of a tender, vulnerable, and exhausted woman.
By Rochi Zalani5 years ago in Geeks
Why You Should Celebrate Conventional Emotional Achievements
This article was originally published at rochizalani.com The smallest of tangible conventional achievements are celebrated — getting good grades, cracking college, jumping on a new job, pacing to a promotion, etc.
By Rochi Zalani5 years ago in Motivation
Resting In 2021: Is Hustle Culture Our Generation's Smoking Advertisement?
This article was originally published at rochizalani.com Up until last month, I was hustling one full-time job and three part-time jobs. Every minute of every day was booked on my calendar for a hundred “urgent” tasks.
By Rochi Zalani5 years ago in Journal
How My Loneliness Converted To Solitude
This article was originally published at rochizalani.com Solitude has become another commodity to sell (being lonely is still hushed). It became a fad when self-help gurus and pseudo-spiritual teachers started preaching about the benefits of time spent alone: Take this silent retreat, this facemask for your Sunday ‘me time’, practice self-care by purchasing this overpriced bath salt, tea personalized for your blissful quiet evening, get into this playlist that helps you meditate.
By Rochi Zalani5 years ago in Humans
Life's Big Questions: Why You Should Take Out Extra Time For Self-Reflection
This article was originally published at rochizalani.com I had a lot of those ‘life’s big questions’ growing up: Why do grown-ups have these things that they call ‘jobs’ and why do they have to do it every day? Why do we have to ‘work’ and ‘build a career’ anyway? What purpose does it solve, really? Why should I go to bed early? Why not have only a bowl of maggie for dinner?
By Rochi Zalani5 years ago in Longevity
Why You Should End Honeymoon Periods Sooner
This article was originally published at rochizalani.com Mmm, it is honeysugar, the beginnings. Every gesture so sweet, every crossed boundary charming, and every habit adorable. All of us possess a little bit of this sparkly honeymoon period nostalgia at the back of our palms.
By Rochi Zalani5 years ago in Humans
On Attention: How Many Social Approvals Are There In My Post?
This article was originally published at rochizalani.com Attention, I believe, is the most pricy commodity economically and psychologically. There is always some website that wants your attention (economic) and there is always something you should rather give your attention to (psychology).
By Rochi Zalani5 years ago in Humans
